For Your Most Precious Cargo

At about one year of age, my daughter had outgrown her original car seat and it was necessary for us to upgrade.  We looked at many different models and decided on Cosco Juvenile Alpha Omega Convertible 22-150.  We used the Internet to educate ourselves on the different products that were available in addition to visiting stores to get an actual visual of the products.  This model provided all of the safety features that we wanted in addition to having soft and comfortable padding.  We paid approximately $120 for this car seat.  The car seat measures 25 X 20 X 19.5

One of the most impressive features of this product is that it can be used for front and rear facing position and is appropriate for children weighing 5-40 pounds.  It is appropriate to use the rear facing position when the baby weighs between 5-35 pounds and the front facing position when the baby/toddler is between 22-40 pounds.  When we purchased the product, we were able to place it in a front facing, as my daughter was just big enough to enjoy the scenery.  The car seat can then be made into a toddler boost seat and can accomodate up to 100 pounds.  

Installing the Seat
We found that it was very easy to install the Cosco Juvenile Alpha Omega and it took us less than 10 minutes.  The car seat weighs about 20 pounds and is easy to maneuver.  As with all car seats they tend to be on the bulky side however the basic shape of it provides many areas that it can be held onto.  As we did not put it in a rear facing position I am not able to comment on the level of ease of installation in this manner.  To properly secure the seat, the seatbelt must run through the opening located on the back and the locking latches must be clipped to the bars located between the seats.  We have not had to remove the car seat thus far but anticipate that it would be relatively easy to do so.  The car seat weighs about 20 pounds and is easy to carry if it does need to be removed. 

Safety Precautions
The most important aspect that should be considered when purchasing a car seat is the safety features of the product.  The Cosco Juvenile Alpha Omega provides many features that are crucial to keeping your child safe in the event of an accident.  The car seat has been equipped with a 5-point internal harness that holds firmly in place.  The straps come through the back of the car seat and run over the shoulder and under the arms.  The two sides then meet in the middle in which they are snapped together with a hard plastic securing mechanism.  The conjoined straps are then connected to another strap that comes up between the legs of the child.  There are three positions that the leg strap can be adjusted to in order to have the most proper fit.  The straps should be adjusted in order to have a firm but not tight fit. 

The straps are easily adjusted using a button just under the seating area that allows for more slack when it is pressed down.  In order to tighten the straps, the button is once again pressed down and the end strap located just under the button should be pulled until the desired tightness is obtained. 

This item also features Protech energy absorbing foam to absorb some of the shock in the case of an accident.  The car seat is also equipped with reclining and adjustment features that the child will not be able to modify while they are sitting in the seat.  Another item that I was impressed with was that if the car were left in the sun, none of the pieces that may come in contact with the child would not be hot to the touch.  This even goes for that metal piece that connects the straps from the shoulders and from between the legs.

It is important that the car seat is installed and fitted properly in order for a child to be safe.  The straps must be straight when it is connected as if it is twisted, there is less material pressed against the child reducing the coverage and effectiveness of them.

This car seat has been approved for use on an airplane as well.

All The Comforts...
It is not only important that the car seat is seat; it must be comfortable for the child.  The Cosco Juvenile Alpha Omega has been given foam padding throughout the areas that the child will be in contact with.  The straps that run over the shoulders have been given a protective cover to prevent rubbing in the neck area.  Not only does this provide comfort and support, in the case of an accident, the edge of a strap will not dig into the neck area of the child. 

The seat has been given the ability to move into one of three recline positions.  These recline options are most available in the rear facing position as the back of the seat hinders the ability to recline in the front facing position.  The controls for the recline feature is accessed by using a bright red lever that is located on the front of the seat.  The car seat also features a padded headrest that can be adjusted depending on the height of the child.  The headrest flares out on the sides to keep a child's head from being pushed too far in the case of an accident and acts as a pillow when they turn their head to the side.  This does not prevent the child from seeing out of the side windows.  This can be moved in an up and down position by using two red bars at the top of the car seat.  The child will not be able to access the controls themselves while they are sitting in the seat.  The Cosco Juvenile Alpha Omega also comes with an infant head insert that can be removed for older children.  We never used this item, as my daughter did not have a need for it. 

The Cosco Juvenile Alpha Omega has also been provided with armrests that can be raised up and down for ease of putting the child in and out of the seat.  In order to move the position of the armrest, they need to be pulled out slightly and they will then raise and lower.  We have not used the armrests for my daughter so far although once she is older; I think she will be glad to have them.

My daughter has never expressed any discomfort when she is sitting in her car seat and has fallen asleep in it many, many times.  Her head, back, and legs are all supported with the hard plastic core and soft padding of the car seat.

Finishing Touches...

The Cosco Juvenile Alpha Omega has been given a removable cup holder that has come in very handy on longer trips.  It is large enough to hold most sipper cups although the bottle is a little small and can be knocked out of easy.  This in one feature that I know we will appreciate even more when she becomes a little older.

This car seat has been done black with charcoal gray highlights.  There is a slight pattern in the gray area that looks great with our upholstery.  We did not consider this when we purchased the car seat but it is nice to have it match the rest of the interior of the car.  There are also other patterns and colors available in this model if you choose to tailor it to the inside of the vehicle.  I was surprised that although the car seat is done in dark colors, it really does not seem to absorb a lot of heat and always feels cool or at a normal room temperature even if the car was sitting out in the sun.  I have not seen my daughter sweat or become warm as a result of the dark material. 

There Is Always a "but"...

The one thing I do not really care for with the Cosco Juvenile Alpha Omega is that the straps that go over the shoulders do seem to twist relatively easily.  I cannot necessarily say that it is the specific design of this car seat that causes problem though.  I am an aunt to three wonderful kids and remember that this was always an issue with their car seats.  I really think it is one of those necessary evils you will face when handling a car seat.  I want to reiterate though that is important that the straps are not twisted when the snaps are put together as they are not as effective and a child may be subject to additional injury in the case of an accident.

Last Thoughts
I would recommend this car seat for any caregiver as it is easy to use and keeps a child safe.  Although this car seat can be used for infants as small as 5 pounds, I would highly recommend that a travel system be used in the primary vehicle as they include a stroller in which the car seat also acts as a carrier and can be moved back and forth without having to unstrap them and re-strap into something else.  A travel system is much too convenient for a caregiver and is worth the extra money. If you were planning on having a second car seat in case of emergencies, this would be a great product as it can be moved to the primary car once they outgrow the smaller car seat/carrier. 

Before you purchase something as important as a car seat, it is important that you shop around in order to find the item that best suits your needs.